Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr., born on April 2, 1939, in Washington, D.C., was a seminal American R&B and soul singer-songwriter known for his profound influence on the Motown sound and for ushering in the era of artist-controlled popular music in the 1970s. Raised in a strict household under the influence of his father, a church minister, Gaye found solace in music, mastering the piano and drums from a young age. His career began with the Moonglows, a doo-wop group, before he was signed to Motown Records by Berry Gordy Jr.

Gaye's early years at Motown saw him working as a session drummer for artists like Stevie Wonder and The Supremes. He achieved his first solo hit with "Hitch Hike" in 1962 and went on to release several successful singles, including "How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," the latter becoming Motown's best-selling single of the 1960s. His duets with Tammi Terrell, such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," further cemented his status as a leading artist of the time.

In 1971, Gaye released the groundbreaking album What's Going On, which addressed social and political issues and marked a departure from the Motown formula by allowing him artistic control. This album, along with Let's Get It On (1973), showcased his ability to blend social commentary with sensuality. His later works, including "Sexual Healing" from the album Midnight Love (1982), won him his first Grammy Awards.

Gaye's personal life was tumultuous, marked by struggles with addiction and two divorces. On April 1, 1984, he was tragically killed by his father during a domestic dispute, just a day before his 45th birthday. Posthumously, Gaye received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and inductions into several halls of fame. His legacy as the "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul" endures, with his music continuing to influence artists across genres.